Imo West: Group hails courtroom ruling on Uzodimma, Okorocha

The Arewa Youth for Peaceful Coexistence (AYPC) has described the reported Federal High Court judgement nullifying Governor Hope Uzodimma’s emergence because the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Imo West within the 2027 elections as a victory for democracy and the rule of legislation.

The group additionally known as on the APC management to adjust to the courtroom order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Senator Rochas Okorocha because the celebration’s candidate for the senatorial district.

In a press release issued by its National President, Comrade Haruna Bature, the group mentioned the judgement reaffirmed the significance of inside democracy and the judiciary’s function in resolving electoral disputes.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, reportedly dominated in swimsuit quantity FHC/ABJ/CS/1854/2026 that Uzodimma was not the winner of the APC major election carried out on May 18, 2026.

According to the assertion, the courtroom held that the governor’s nomination violated provisions of the Electoral Act and the celebration’s pointers, and directed INEC to publish Okorocha’s identify because the validly nominated candidate.

Bature alleged that Okorocha had received the first however was denied the ticket by the substitution of his identify.

“The Federal High Court has today proven that no matter how highly placed you are, you cannot steal a mandate that does not belong to you,” the assertion quoted Bature as saying.

The group mentioned the ruling ought to function a warning to political leaders in opposition to manipulating celebration primaries and imposing candidates on celebration members.

It added that the judgement had restored the political voice of individuals in Imo West, whom it mentioned had suffered political intimidation.

AYPC counseled Justice Egwuatu for what it described as his braveness and professionalism, whereas additionally praising INEC officers for his or her function in monitoring the first election.

The group urged Uzodimma to respect the ruling and cease presenting himself because the APC’s senatorial candidate for Imo West.

It additionally known as on the APC management to ahead Okorocha’s identify to INEC in compliance with the courtroom’s directive.

“Democracy cannot survive where candidates are imposed. What happened today is a lesson that power belongs to the people and no amount of manipulation can override the will of party members,” the assertion added.